My brother's wedding

Tuesday I made the trek home to help out with the preparations for my brother's wedding. It seemed like I blinked and it was over! I spent most of my time helping my mom organize the rehearsal dinner. After what seemed like days of making place cards, we were finally sitting down to a delicious meal. The speeches were so sweet. Kellie's mom talked about how how in love and happy they are together. My mom and dad spoke about keeping the Lord first in their life and marriage. Everyone else's were beautiful, but my brother Luke stole the show with his hilarious account of hearing them talk on the phone.

"I was trying to fall asleep one night while they were talking." Luke said. With 3 rooms and 6 kids, we all had to share rooms. That means there isn't much personal space. You can either talk in your room to the detriment of your sibling or go outside. A comfortable bed normally wins. This particular time they talked until the early morning hours. About the 3rd time Luke woke up he heard this, "Kellie, even your breathing is like a chorus of angels." At that moment he knew he had the crown jewels of blackmail material. At the rehearsal dinner, the time had finally come to use it. The whole place erupted in laughter. I was so proud! Ha!

Saturday was a full of hustle and bustle. Everyone was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, as my mother would say. Soon it was only 30 minutes before the wedding and things slowed down. I could almost see the butterflies in Kellie's stomach as she waited for the minutes to pass. I remember those feelings. The anticipation is thrilling and sickening at the same time.

The moments blurred together as Kellie came down the isle. She was a dream in white. I nearly melted when I saw Matt's eyes teared up. I can only imagine there was a sigh deep inside. The moment had finally come. The ceremony was beautiful. At one point they had the important men in their lives come up and pray for them. It was my favorite part.

I could not have imagined a more beautiful reception. The place had completely transformed overnight. Michelle, my mom and I helped Thursday night, but they had done so much more since then! It was so elegant. They even had a little photo booth area with fur coats. We definitely took advantage of it! :)

Our family is going to be so huge after everyone gets married! I can't imagine how crazy our family gatherings are going to be! I am so glad to add Kellie is the newest member of our family! I couldn't think of anyone more perfect for my little brother! (PS: Luke says he looks retarded, but this is the only family picture I got that day. It is going to be our Christmas picture too. Sorry bro!)

 Jonathan took this of my parents. So sweet!

Hopefully I can catch up on all the Christmas things you guys are doing! I've been so out of the loop this past week! I know I am looking forward to all of our Christmas celebrations during the next 2 weeks! I hope you all had a blessed weekend!

This is real life folks!

(This is me in the morning with no make up and wet hair!)

Hey friends! I thought I would start sharing a little bit more of my real life here. I try to be transparent in what I write, but there's just some stuff that never makes it to the "publish" button...you know what I'm talking about...the stuff that is the complete opposite of glamorous. I got to thinking that it might be fun to have some confessions of sorts about real life stuff. It might be about that day, that week or just life in general. I thought I'd include a very "real" photo as well. Maybe it will become a weekly thing!

1. We have chocolate milk every single night. I feel incomplete without it.

2. I am a neat freak, not to be confused with a clean freak. I have been known to shove papers behind a pillow...just so I don't have to see the mess. If I don't see it, then it's ok. Haha. I am an odd soul.

3. I'm a horrible driver. Ok, I'm really not horrible. I'm just not observant when I'm upset or very distracted. When that is the case, I make mistakes...aka accidents happen.

4. I used to go to bed by 10 pm every night and get up by 6 am, until I met my husband. He turned me into a night owl. I blame him for my urge to sleep in.

5. I dress up way more than I dress down. Yes, that means I sometimes wear dresses when I'm working in my office...by myself. Ha!

6. My 9 month clothes fast ends in 15 days. Yes, I am counting. I might be just a little bit excited about it.

7. I recently found leftovers that had been in our fridge since the Ice Age. Seriously, I couldn't remember when we ate whatever it was!

8. My brother is getting married this weekend and I am secretly not ok with it. I love that he's getting married to this AMAZING girl, but I don't like that we are all growing up! :(




PS: The winner of the giveaway is Jenni Austria Germany! Email me and I'll send you the prize!

A few days at home...

Hello guys! I've been at my family's home for the past week! Boy, was it jam-packed with fun stuff! I rarely ever get to spend more than 2 days with them at a time because of Jonathan's work schedule or other things going on at church. I hated to leave my hubby for so long, but it was nice to be able to spend  some individual time with ALL of my family...which is saying a lot because there's 8 of us all together!

While I was there we celebrated my birthday early and my family got me some things I needed for my trip to Ethiopia. (It's so soon!!!) Everyone was there but my closest sibling in age, Matt. He was busy working, you know, to save up money for his upcoming wedding. It was a good excuse. :)

While I was at home, I got to see one my old highschool friends get married. My sister was one of the bridesmaids, so I went early to fix her hair. I loved watching everyone get ready and remembering our special day, which is almost a year and a half ago! It was such a sweet wedding and she was so stunning. It is always so amazing to see how God brings two people together. It was evident that God is the center of their relationship and their wedding.

Don't they look so precious? (Sigh) I love love!

The next day I was also able to catch my best friend after a senior shoot in Jacksonville. I love that we can pick up right where we left off, no matter how long it's been. Whenever we meet up, we talk for hours and hours. She's the kind of friend I can share anything with. We've been through so much together and it's only made our friendship stronger. We laugh with each other until our sides hurt. We cry for each other. We love each other no matter what. It's a blessing to have a friend like that. We had such a good time, but I forgot to take any photos though. (Shame on me!)

After spending a week at home, it almost felt like I lived there again. I finally stopped calling my old room, "my room" on this trip. It's Michelle and Katie's room now. It feels kind of weird. It made me remember the summers and breaks I spent at there, wishing I could be with Jonathan. I'm so thankful for the home I was raised in, but my home is now wherever my husband is...he is home for me. And yet, my home is with them too. It feels strange to have 2 homes. I suppose the more people you love, the more homes you have and home is wherever they are.

Anyway, I hope to catch up on everything I've missed while I was at home! I have lots of lovely photos from shoots that are begging me to finish editing them! I hope to show you all soon!

I hope you all have a blessed Thursday!

A little beach celebration

A few weekends ago, me and a few of my friends went to spend the day at the beach. We were celebrating my friend Leigh's upcoming marriage. In fact, she is getting married this weekend! How wonderful.

It was a perfect day of relaxation! We ate a little lunch, talked, walked, looked at magazines, read and took a dip in the ocean. The waves were very strong that day though! I almost lost my beloved fedora...I found it but it is beyond fixing. (Sad day.) A few of the girls lost their sunglasses to the tumult of the waves as well. All in all, it was wonderful to be with the girls for a day. Everyone lady need a girl day once in a while!

Oh I almost forgot! (Cue funny story.) The night before this little celebration, I broke out in a weird rash on my lip. It's happened to me before and it was horrible. My lips were one huge rash. Pleasant, I know. Anyway, my sister and I got up at 6 to get ready and make it to minute clinic guy that Saturday. We finally found one after riding around town forever. Stupid me failed to remember that I would need a shot in the butt, and wore a one-piece! Ha! The poor (male) nurse! I said, "Um, I am going to have to change!" Ha! When he came back in my sister and I had changed suits and outfits! So funny. We laughed about that forever!

Anyway, I know Leigh will be a beautiful bride this Saturday! I hate to miss such a God-honoring and gorgeous wedding, but we are headed out of town. (I will reveal Friday. Bonos points if you guess where!)

Wedding Place Cards & Life Update

Hello dear friends! I want to go ahead and appologize for my lack of presence in this lovely blog world. Life has been so busy that my computer time is extremely limited these days. I wish I could visit all of your blogs and email back a little better, but that may just have to wait until things slow down...which may be after the summer is over! Ha!

Anyway, I wanted to share one of my latest projects with you all. My old boss/ friend asked me to make place cards for her bridesmaid's luncheon. I became so excited as soon as the words "shabby chic" left her lips. Shabby chic is most definitely my forte! Here's a few photos of my creations! All of them are different and I love it!

I'm very pleased with how they all turned out! I don't think I can even pick a favorite. So what is yours? It was a fun little project! Although I must say, I am enjoying the preparation for someone else's wedding instead of mine for a change! It felt like I was always doing craft projects for our wedding!

PS: I am trying out an all white look and a new header. What do you guys think, white or color? Also, if you know a way to expand the blog width I'd love to know!


Have a wonderful Friday!